DAY 10: THE WRAP UP

POST#1: THE WRAP UP

While we await the return of the Mission Team, let's just have a retrospective look at what they have done in Bicol.

For these youths - and the adults who helped in their mission formation and provided enormous support during the mission trip itself - who took a leap of faith and heeded God's call, this mission trip has been a momentous time in their life that they will cherish for life.

What exactly did we bring to Bicol? Yes, we brought supplies, books, toys etc etc. But what really was important for the children there was our presence in the mission areas, our smiles, our energy, and our time spent with them. So, to our teens: never mind if you drew that line off centre. Never mind that you painted the wall a shade darker than required. Never mind if you forgot to bring extra Milos and biscuits. Never mind if you sang that song dissonantly. Never mind if you spoke so fast like the MRT that the local kids didn't understand you, or the local kids thought you were an idiot. Never mind if you woke up late, or clogged the toilets, or wore the wrong t-shirt. Or you came up late for prayers and meals. Or you made a nuisance of yourselves, whether at the dorm, at the mission areas, at the mall, or at the airports. Never mind if we were off-key a little bit during the Mass on Dec 11. Never mind.

For from the tattered classrooms of the town, to the little houses of Tagaytay, to the devastated landscape of Masarawag to the far-flung hills and vales of Dona Mercedes, you made the children smile and laugh and feel loved by a people from another part of the world. You brought joy to them, even for a moment. You saw how they welcomed you, and valued your company. And they saw the love and mercy and compassion of God in you. That rabies-stricken boy in Dona Mercedes will remember you forever as a people sent by God.

It was not easy. After all, Jesus, our mission leader didn't promise us an easy time - He promised us a blessed time, with lots of surprises. And surprise us He did. For example, the delayed arrival of the Main Body had several positive undertones. It caused the Advance Party to be one notch higher in terms of preparedness. It bonded the Main Body in the most trying circumstances. It bonded the whole group spiritually for the entire mission trip. Also, my early departure (and also of Celestine) made the youths take the mission trip with greater resolve. In my books, their collective action, guided by the Holy Spirit, to alleviate the suffering of that rabies-stricken boy in Dona Mercedes, and the time spent by our two choristers (Mariana Chong and Maria Chuah) with the children at GECS are the defining moments of this year's mission trip.

As mission leader, I would like to thank the following who joined us in this mission: Sr Grace Gonzales, our Spiritual Director for this journey; Sr Angeline Lim whose calming presence reassured the youth at all times; Lucy Goh, who brought a mother's love, care and concern for the youth; Michael Leong, who quietly provided support and was a pillar of strength during some of the more difficult moments; Anthony Tann, who eased into a liaison role and was transformed into an able whipmaster when I had to go home; Vanessa Tay, who was thrust into a logistics role she had never done before; and our facils Chadwyn Wong, Vanessa Chong, and Kirsten Ong, who were true role models for the younger teenagers.

I would also like to give this affirmation to all our youths who participated in this mission. You wholehearted participation was commendable, and your parents and our parish priest should be proud of you. I am tempted to mention a few names for their exemplary conduct and leadership qualities, their dedication to the tasks assigned to them, their ability to think on their feet, and their willingness to serve and not to be served. But I won't, as most likely I would mention all the members of the mission team anyway. But I would like to put on record my appreciation to the following who ran this blog since June 2011 until yesterday - Celestine Neo (blog architect and engineer) who practically designed the entire blog, and whatever feature you may find inside it; our bloggers Stephanie Sukarti, Teresa Leong, Marianne Quek and Keefe Oei, who kept at the job even in the most trying cicrcumstances during the mission trip.


Bloggers: Teresa, Marianne, Jane, Uncle Al, Keefe, Nigel


I would also like to thank the parents and friends who kept our spirits up by posting positive messages and affirmations in this blog throughout the mission trip. Those meant a great deal to us while we were away, and we thank you for that.

To everyone in Bicol who helped us - the staff at the Bicol University Extension Office, our local volunteers - and everyone everywhere who prayed for our well-being and the success of our mission trip - thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.

We should not forget to thank those who helped us in our fund-raising campaign: Cocoa Tree, ACMA, the youths of L9, the Catechetical Office, our priests and parishioners. 

Thanks everyone, for giving me the opportunity of leading you this year - from the MIP / MPT time, to fund-raising, team-building through organising of concerts and the Cantata. It has been a privilege serving you. And thanks Bicol for being there. It was a joy being there - being home - too.

This has been a post-confirmation mission trip that will be etched in our memories forever, not just because of what we have experienced, but also because of the circumstances that surrounded it, and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it.

I hope and pray that these teenagers won't stop here. I pray that the empowerment they received from their Confirmation, and the affirmation they earned during this mission trip, would make them bearers of the Good News, the light for others, and bread for others, throughout their lives.

It's still early morning in Guinobatan. Thick mist still envelope the hostel and its surroundings. The youth are still asleep. A cock crows. Soon, one by one, the blessed youths will be up - to prepare for that long journey home.

To God be the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

-Al, from Mission HQ, Singapore